Bold Names How New Wearable Tech Targets Brain Waves for Better Sleep
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Jan 10, 2025 
Jo Craven McGinty, WSJ Science Bureau Chief and a specialist in sleep technology, dives into the world of innovative wearable devices designed to enhance sleep quality. She discusses fascinating tech like the EleMind device, which uses sound to modulate brainwaves, and the Somni headband, delivering electrical pulses for better sleep. McGinty also highlights the Lumos sleep mask that adjusts circadian rhythms through light stimulation, proving especially useful for travelers and shift workers. Discover how these advancements might revolutionize your nightly rest!
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Brainwave Modulation for Sleep
- Brainwave modulation, studied for over a decade, uses sound to alter brainwave frequencies.
- Waking brainwaves oscillate at 8-12 hertz, while deep sleep (slow-wave) slows to 0.5-2 hertz.
EleMind's Headband
- EleMind's headband uses EEG sensors and a forehead speaker to deliver sound bursts.
- These bursts, timed to brainwave oscillations, aim to shift brainwaves from waking to sleeping patterns.
Somni's Electrical Pulses
- Somni, by STEM Science, uses electrical pulses instead of sound for brainwave modulation.
- While it plays soothing music, the electrical pulses are the key sleep-inducing factor.